l9o6. 
71 
OBITUARY. 
FREDERICK WILLIAM BURBIDaE, M.A., F.L S., M.R.LA. 
The death of Mr. F. W. Burbidge, late Curator of Trinity College 
Botanic Garden, Dublin, at a comparatively early age, has caused wide- 
spread feelings of regret throughout a large circle. Mr. Burbidge came 
to Ireland in 1879 to take up the position which he held until his death 
on 24th December last, and he soon became widely known amongst 
students and lovers of natural history and horticulture. His previous 
training had been such as eminently to qualify him for the position he 
filled with credit and distinction for so many years. 
From an early age he devoted himself to the study of plants. He be- 
came a student in the Horticultural Gardens, Chiswick, passed through 
the full course there, and took the principal prize when leaving. This 
prize, a cheque for £4, he took to Lord Avebury, then vSir John Lubbock, 
to be caslied, and purchased a microscope. Mr. Burbidge has told the 
writer of the pleasant interview he had with Lord Avebury, and the 
kind encouragement he got to persevere in his studies; advice which 
bore good fruit. From Chiswick he went to Kew, where he attended 
classes, and perfected his drawing and painting. From Kew he joined 
the staff of T/ie Garden newspaper, and many of its readers remember 
the interesting and instructive articles written by him, sometimes over 
his own name, sometimes over that of "Veronica," or some other 
pseudonym, but no matter over what name the article appeared the 
cliarming, free and polished style, and the quality of the matter betrayed 
tlie real author. In 1877, in company with Mr. Peter Veitch, of Exeter, 
he went on a botanical collecting tour for Messrs. Veitch, of Chelsea, to 
Borneo and to the Sulu Archipelago, where he did excellent work, dis- 
covering many new plants of merit and interest, several of which he 
successfully introduced into cultivation, and some of which have been 
called after him. He took copious notes, and recorded with accuracy his 
observations of plants and animals in their natural surroundings, his 
analytical drawings of the flowers and plants he collected proving of 
great value to monographers when species came to be described. As 
already stated, he was appointed Curator of the College Gardens in 1879, 
and so highly was his work there appreciated, that the College authori- 
ties conferred on him the honorary degree of M.A. in 1888. 
Always a keen observer, and careful accurately to record his observa- 
tions, he succeeded in accumulating a vast number of valuable notes, 
and published several books which are held in high esteem in gardening 
circles. Amongst these are " The Art of Botanical Drawing," The 
Narcissus," "Cool Orchids," "Domestic Floriculture," "Cultivated 
Plants, their propagation and treatment," (still about the best book on 
the subject), " Gardens of the Sun," "Sweet scented Flowers," &c. 
